Responses To The Expedition Experience:

Research Report

““…if I've learned anything in nearly 12 years now of dragging heavy things around cold places, it is that true, real inspiration and growth only comes from adversity and from challenge, from stepping away from what's comfortable and familiar and stepping out into the unknown”

Ben Saunders, 2012”

Responses To The Expedition Experience:Research Report

Dr Nathan Smith

Acknowledgements:

Thank you to all of the participants who gave up their time to contribute to this work. Without your generosity it is not possible to conduct such studies. Consistent with your adventuring spirit, this is the first work to examine the link between personality and growth following different types of expedition experience. Understanding such responses is incredibly valuable, not only to the current expedition community but to all future expedition-goers. As we build on this initial research, we will better understand how expedition contexts can be used to foster growth, develop skills and prepare people for more intrepid journeys into wild places, far flung locations and the outer reaches of the Earth and beyond.

With Special thanks to:The Alpine ClubBritish Moutaineering CouncilRoyal Geographical Society (Shane Winser)Cambridge University Expedition SocietyJosh Patterson (illustrators)Blair Frame (illustrators)

Data presented within this overview are currently under review in the Journal of Environmental Psychology as part of the manuscript “Reported growth following mountaineering expeditions: The role of personality and perceived stress” authored by Dr Nathan Smith, Dr Florence Kinnafick, Dr Sam Cooley and Professor Gro Sandal.

Findings were also recently presented at the British Psychological Society, Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology conference (Leeds, December 2015).

Additional manuscripts related to personal values and learning/transfer are in preparation and further information is available from the lead author upon request (Nathan.smith@northampton.ac.uk).

Study Objectives:

There were three core objectives of the present work:

1. Examine the extent to which individuals reported growth following a human-powered expedition lasting a minimum of 7 days and involving a journey between 2 or more locations

2. Explore the relationship between personality, post-expedition growth and related outcomes

3. Assess the learning/transfer of skills from the expedition experience and any challenges faced upon return to everyday life

Participants:

Results from 83 mountaineers are presented below (Data were also collected from other types of expedition and are being written up as a separate study).

Mean age of mountaineers 42.54 years (SD = 16.50 years)

Participated in at least 1, and up to as many as 40 mountaineering expeditions (M= 7.55)

On average had completed their most recent expedition 28 months ago (SD = 48 months)

Location of expeditions varied, with popular destinations being the Himalayas, Patagonia, the Swiss/French Alps and Uganda.

Key findings:

1. Perceived expedition stress was positively associated with reports of growth, including changes in ‘perceptions of personal strength’, ‘appreciation of life’, ‘possibilities for the future’ and ‘relating to others’.

2. Growth was reported despite the sample of participants in the present study being experienced expedition-goers who had completed an average of 7 expeditions previously.

3. When compared to the general population, the present sample scored higher on ‘agreeableness’, ‘extraversion’, ‘conscientiousness’ and ‘openness’ and lower on ‘neuroticism’ – this personality profile is reflective of having the “right stuff” for performing well in extreme environments.

4. The personality traits of agreeableness and openness to experience were positively associated with reports of post-expedition growth – suggesting personality may contribute to adjustment in the post-expedition phase.

5. Small and non-significant correlations found between dimensions of growth and resilience suggesting that the two constructs are independent and should be studied together to understand post-expedition adjustment.

6. Dimensions of perceived growth (e.g., personal strength, appreciation etc.) and personality factors of extraversion, agreeableness and openness were positively associated with general reports of well-being and learning transfer, suggesting that the expedition experience may hold benefits outside of the immediate expedition context.

7. Qualitative accounts suggest that the benefits of participating in extreme environment expeditions are many and varied. However, there was also an acknowledgement of challenges faced during reintegration – including depressed mood, boredom, feelings of isolation and frustration at others not understanding or taking an interest in their experience.

Important note:

Although stress was positively associated with growth we expect there to be a threshold, beyond which, further increases in perceived expedition stress may be accompanied by more negative responses. This should be considered when planning expeditions and how to support individuals during the re-integration period. In addition, data from the present work are correlational and retrospective and should be interpreted appropriately. Follow-up prospective studies are currently underway and further information on post-expedition adjustment will be available in due course.

Nevertheless, our present findings point towards the benefits of getting out of the house, exploring the world, challenging ourselves and stretching our capabilities. If we partake in such challenges, we can be confident that our lives will be enriched as a result.

Thank you and happy exploring.

Nathan